עבד ה׳
eved Hashem
The Hebrew phrase for "servant of God" is עבד ה׳ (eved Hashem).
עבד ה׳ is used to describe a person who is devoted to serving and obeying the will of God. It is frequently employed in biblical and liturgical contexts to refer to righteous individuals or prophets. In Jewish religious practice, this phrase is used when referring to God as Hashem.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the noun eved (servant) and the name Hashem (the Lord/God).
How do you pronounce it?
eved Hashem
Did you know?
- In certain mystical traditions, the phrase עבד ה׳ does not just mean someone who obeys God, but someone who has completely erased their own ego to become a vessel for the divine.
- While the title was once a mark of prestige for figures like Moses, using the word עבד in modern Hebrew almost exclusively evokes the concept of a slave rather than a holy devotee.
- The Hebrew word for 'work' עבודה shares the same root as עבד, linking the act of serving God to the concept of physical labor.
Examples in context
- הוא היה עֶבֶד הַשֵׁם האמיתי.He was a true servant of God.
- התפילה היא של עבד ה׳ המבקש רחמים.ha'tefila hi shel eved Hashem hamevakesh rachamim.The prayer is that of a servant of God seeking mercy.
- הוא רואה בעצמו רק עבד ה׳.hu ro'e be'atzmo rak eved Hashem.He sees himself as only a servant of God.
Example conversation
Itay and Noa are discussing a spiritual book they are reading.
- איתי Itayנועה, את חושבת שזה קל להיות עבד ה׳?Noa, at choshevet she-ze kal lihyot eved Adonai?Noa, do you think it is easy to be a servant of God?
- נועה Noaאיתי, אני חושבת שזה דורש המון סבלנות.Itay, ani choshevet she-ze doresh hamon savlanut.Itay, I think it requires a lot of patience.
- איתי Itayנראה לי שזה דורש בעיקר אמונה עמוקה.Nira li she-ze doresh be-ikar emuna amuka.It seems to me that it mainly requires deep faith.
- נועה Noaאתה צודק, זו הדרך של עבד ה׳.Ata tzodek, zo ha-derech shel eved Adonai.You are right, that is the way of a servant of God.
